Debug Recipes

This is a repository of my notes collected while debugging various .NET and Windows problems. You can find here commands with example usages, scripts and other debugging materials. It is still being constructed so some notes might not be finished - use on your own responsibility. Try using the project search box while looking for a particular subject.

I hope you will find them useful. Any contribution is welcome.

General advice

Make sure you have valid symbols configuration in your system. If you are debugging a .NET application you may first check the .NET debugging tips.

Troubleshooting

Applications

Choose a recipe corresponding to your application problem (if a recipe requires WinDbg please have a look how to setup .NET in WinDbg first):

• Unknown exceptions thrown
• Memory leaks
• High CPU usage
• Networking problems
• Wait analysis (deadlocks):
  • using ETW
  • in the debugger
• Assembly not found
• Slow database queries:
  • using ADO.NET
  • using MySql connector
• Framework installation or GAC

Problems in .NET Web Applications:

• Slow requests / tracing: ASP.NET, Nancy
• Unknown errors: ASP.NET

Databases

IIS

• Troubleshooting IIS7+
• Troubleshooting IIS6
• Troubleshooting IIS Express

Tools

• Visual Studio (debugging)
• WinDbg (debugger)
  • .NET in WinDbg
  • Interesting WinDbg extensions